Wingate expansion, artificial turf, redistricting on meeting agenda

Published: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 18, 2013 at 9:36 p.m.

An expansion of Wingate University, artificial turf and lighting for the county's new athletic center field and redistricting are on tap for discussion at the Henderson County Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday.

Wingate President Dr. Jerry McGee will talk to commissioners about the university's plans for expanding its programming in Henderson County, and the potential of partnering with Blue Ridge Community College to broaden health care training here.

County Manager Steve Wyatt said he's been meeting for months with McGee and BRCC leaders to discuss how to accommodate Wingate's capacity needs while also augmenting the health care programs offered by the community college.

Wyatt said a partnership between BRCC and Wingate could provide young and “second-career people” with the opportunity to move from an associate's degree in nursing to an advanced degree in pharmacy, PA or physical therapy without leaving the area, at a lower cost to students.

“Also, wouldn't it be great for our hospital employees to gain further degrees or credentials through a Blue Ridge Community College and Wingate partnership down the road?” Wyatt asked. “This really could strengthen our position as a leader in health care in Western North Carolina.”

Wingate launched its School of Pharmacy and Masters in Business Administration programs in Hendersonville in 2011 and began offering Physician Assistant Studies this fall. The school has plans to expand its physical therapy program to Hendersonville, perhaps as early as 2016, but lacks enough room.

“The current facility was a start-up facility,” said Wyatt. “It met the need, but it will not meet the need long-term. My interest – and I've been upfront with them – is to cement a long-term relationship with Wingate to guarantee their presence here for the next 15 to 20 years or more.”

Wingate's pharmacy program will grow from 54 students to 72 in 2014, while its Doctor in Pharmacy program will gain 20 more students by then, said Jeff Atkinson, Wingate's director of Marketing and Communications. He said the school plans to launch a physical therapy program at its main campus near Charlotte in January and hopes to bring it to Hendersonville.

But the school's 11,000-square-foot facility on 5th Avenue East is already maxed out. Wingate had to move its growing PA program into 2,000 square feet of unoccupied space at Home Trust Bank across the street. Atkinson said the university needs 25,000 square feet to accommodate its future growth.

Wingate already partners with South Piedmont Community College in Polkton, he said, allowing its two-year education students to merge seamlessly into Wingate's masters and doctorate programs in education. Partnering with BRCC “makes perfect sense,” Atkinson said.

“It's like a farm team for the major leagues,” he said. “There are synergies there ... where we can collaborate.”

BRCC has collaborated with Wingate since the university opened its doors here, said spokeswoman Lee Anna Haney. She said leaders from the two schools “continue to have conversations on how the two can expand this partnership, including new program offerings, dual enrollment and shared facilities.”

In October, a developer working with Wingate proposed that Hendersonville City Council convert the former Grey Hosiery Mill into an expanded campus to serve the school's growing enrollment. That idea fell through after the developer failed to secure a deal with Wingate, citing operational costs.

Commissioners will consider funding artificial turf, lighting, netting and a lease with Norfolk Southern Railroad to improve the multi-purpose field at the county's new athletic and activities center on South Grove Street. Wyatt said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the low bid of $321,000 from Medallion Athletic Products for the turf.

County staff will also present commissioners with two options for realigning the populations of their districts. Currently, the population of Commissioner Larry Young's District 3 and Commissioner Grady Hawkins' District 5 deviate by more than 3,000 residents.

John Mitchell, business and community development director, will offer two scenarios to equalize all five districts within 1,072 to 1,509 residents of each other. Three commissioners said Monday they'll likely approve one of the proposals, since neither splits voting precincts or changes the residency status of sitting commissioners.

Reach Axtell at 828-694-7860 or than.axtell@blueridgenow.com.

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